Chassis for grass treatment machine

ABSTRACT

A chassis ( 10 ) for a grass treatment machine and which is adapted to mount thereon an elongate grass treatment module ( 20, 21, 22, 23 ) having opposed outer ends ( 24 ) by which it is mounted on the chassis ( 10 ), and in which: the chassis ( 10 ) is intended to be mounted in, or form part of the frame of a grass treatment machine; the chassis ( 10 ) has two module mountings ( 11 ) which are laterally spaced from each other with respect to the direction of travel of the machine, and each mounting ( 11 ) being adapted to receive a respective outer end ( 24 ) of the module ( 20 ); and the chassis comprises two chassis portions ( 12, 13 ) which can be asssembled in order to hold the outer ends ( 24 ) of the module ( 20 ) in the module mountings ( 11 ) in order to mount the module ( 20 ) on the chassis ( 10 ), and which can be relatively separated in order to provide access to the module mountings ( 11 ) for the purposes of mounting or de-mounting the ends ( 24 ) of the module ( 20 ) relative to the chassis ( 10 ).

[0001] This invention relates to a multi-head grass treatment machinehaving a frame, and a number of grass treatment heads (units) mounted onthe frame and each mounting a respective elongate grass treatmentmodule. The invention also relates to a chassis for a grass treatmentunit and which is adapted to mount thereon an interchangeable elongategrass treatment module having opposed outer ends by which it is mountedon the chassis.

[0002] In this specification, the term “a multi-head (unit) grasstreatment machine” is intended to include a so-called golf “greens”mower having a main frame and a number of separate grass treatment headsor units mounted on the main frame, and each comprising a chassis havingan elongate grass and/or ground treatment device mounted therein.Examples of treatment device include cylindrical mowers, spikers etc.,and which therefore constitute the actual operating mechanism built intothe chassis of each unit and which actually treats the grass and/orground.

[0003] The term “grass treatment unit” therefore refers to a completeunit which can be fitted to the frame of a ride-on multi-head grasstreatment machine.

[0004] The term “chassis” refers to the housing or frame of a grasstreatment unit in which the elongate grass and/or ground treatmentdevice is mounted.

[0005] The term “grass treatment module”, referred to below, includes agrass/ground treatment device which is designed to be quickly and easilyremovable, replaceable and interchangeable with different modules;within the chassis of each unit.

[0006] The invention is particularly (though not exclusively) applied tograss treatment machines of the type which have a ride-on prime mover towhich are attached a number of individual grass treatment units. In thecase of a mower e.g. a golf “greens” mower, the grass treatment modulewill be a cylindrical mower unit having spiral cutting blades extendingaround a central shaft, such blades defining a cylindrical cuttingsurface spaced radially outwardly of the central shaft. However, theinvention is applicable to grass treatment machines utilising othertypes of grass treatment devices or modules, such as a scarifier,so-called “verticut” device, spiker, rotary brush, top dressing brush,sarel roller, and slitter.

[0007] In the past, manufacturers supplied a specific unit for each taski.e. a mower, scarifier or spiker, and having a chassis, a prime moverto drive the chassis over the ground, and operate the treatment deviceconcerned. The other alternative offered by manufacturers in a limitednumber of instances has been to supply an alternative grass treatmentdevice, such as a rotary brush or scarifier, which may be built into thechassis of the unit, after having first removed the cylindrical mowermechanism. However, in designs available to date, the mounting andde-mounting of each device in the chassis of the unit is atime-consuming and awkward task necessitating a skilled mechanic, andusually requiring bolts or other fasteners to be tightened and loosened,and bearings to be removed, replaced and/or adjusted. Bearing in mindthat such multi-unit ride-on grass treatment machines usually have 3, 5or 7 units, the time involved has dictated that exchanging such grasstreatment device has only been done on a most infrequent basis.

[0008] However, the current need for increased worker efficiency coupledwith an increasing demand for additional treatments to be regularlycarried out on sports turf to improve its condition and playingcharacteristics, has meant that there is a real need for a way to befound of quickly and easily interchanging a wide range of grasstreatment devices within the chassis of such grass treatment units,rather than purchasing may separate sets of specific grass treatmentunits. The present invention has been developed with a view to providinga chassis for a grass treatment unit having improved means to facilitatemounting and de-mounting of elongate grass/ground treatment modules(e.g. cylindrical or generally cylindrical devices), so that even anunskilled person, such as the mower operator, can quickly and easilyinterchange a range of grass treatment modules within such chassis.

[0009] According to one aspect of the invention there is provided achassis for a grass treatment unit and which is adapted to mount thereonan elongate grass treatment module having opposed outer ends by which itis mounted on the chassis, and in which:

[0010] the chassis is intended to be mounted on the frame of a grasstreatment machine; and

[0011] the chassis has at least one module mounting which is adapted tofacilitate easy attachment and removal of a respective grass treatmentmodule.

[0012] This could be implemented in a variety of different ways, such asone or more slots formed in side plates of the chassis, into which themodule mountings can be slidably mounted. Alternatively, flanges on thechassis may have module mountings onto which the modules can bereplaceably mounted, and preferably without need for fastener bolts orthe like to complete the assembly. Regardless of the means adopted, theobjective is to enable the interchanging of modules to be carried out asquickly and simply as possible.

[0013] Preferably, the chassis has two module mountings which arelaterally spaced from each other, with respect to the direction oftravel of the machine, and each mounting being adapted to receive arespective outer end of the module.

[0014] The chassis may comprise two chassis portions which can beassembled in order to hold the outer ends of the module in the modulemountings in order to mount the module on the chassis, and which can berelatively separated in order to provide access to the module mountingsfor the purposes of mounting or de-mounting the ends of the modulerelative to the chassis.

[0015] Therefore, a preferred aspect of the invention provides, by avery quickly operated and simple means, a capability of mounting andde-mounting a grass treatment module in that (a) access can be hadreadily to the mountings when required by relative separation of thechassis portions and (b) when the chassis portions are assembled, theends of the module are securely mounted on the chassis so that themodule can carry out an appropriate grass treatment operation.

[0016] Preferably, the two chassis portions are interengageable whenassembled, and one of the chassis portions is removable from engagementwith the other chassis portion to provide access to the modulemountings.

[0017] The two chassis portions are therefore preferably connectedtogether for relative movement between an assembled condition and aseparated condition.

[0018] One of the chassis portions may be pivotally connected to theother chassis portion for movement between an engaged position in whichthe ends of the module are held in the module mountings, and a releaseposition in which the ends of the module can be removed from themountings.

[0019] The chassis portions may therefore define socket mountings whichsurround the ends of the module, when the portions are in the engagedposition, and in which parts of the sockets move away when the chassisportions are in the release position.

[0020] In a preferred arrangement, a first chassis portion defines amajor part of each mounting socket, and a second chassis portion definesa minor portion of each mounting socket, whereby the major part of eachsocket mounting receives the respective module end when the chassisportions are in the release position, prior to movement of the secondchassis portion to the engaged position.

[0021] The chassis preferably comprises two sides which are spaced aparttransversely with respect to the direction of travel, and the twomountings may comprise square or other cross section sockets to receivethe ends of the module. The chassis portions therefore are providedwith, or define the sockets, and when the chassis portions areseparated, part of the periphery of each socket opens outwardly topermit access to the mountings for the ends of the module. In the caseof a square cross section socket, one of the chassis portions may definethree sides of the socket, and the other chassis portion may define thefourth (openable) side. Alternatively, each chassis portion may definetwo sides of the square socket.

[0022] The two chassis portions may be pivotally connected together, toform a forward portion and a rearward portion, and in which the forwardportion is pivotable forwardly and downwardly of the rearward portion inorder to take-up an open (separated) position, and which makes itparticularly easy to mount and de-mount the ends of the module withrespect to the sockets.

[0023] The forward portion of the chassis may carry a usual frontroller, preferably vertically adjustable to alter the height of themodule above the grass surface. The rearward portion may be supported bya rear roller.

[0024] The grass treatment module may comprise a cylindrical mower unit,a scarifier device, a verticut device, a spiker or a brush etc.

[0025] In a particularly preferred arrangement, a multi-unit grasstreatment machine is provided having a frame, and a number of grasstreatment units mounted on the frame and each mounting a respectiveelongate grass treatment module, in which each treatment unit is formedby a chassis according to said one aspect of the invention, andoptionally having one or more of the preferred features referred toabove.

[0026] According to a further aspect of the invention there is provideda multi-unit grass treatment machine having a frame, and a number ofgrass treatment units mounted on the frame and each mounting arespective elongate grass treatment module, in which each unit has apair of module mountings which are laterally spaced from each other withrespect to the direction of travel of the machine and in which therespective grass treatment module is removably mounted.

[0027] Preferred embodiments of chassis according to the invention, formounting in a grass treatment machine will now be described in detail,by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

[0028]FIG. 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of the chassis,showing two chassis portions assembled to a closed position in which agenerally horizontally extending grass treatment module can be mountedin the chassis ready to carry out a grass treatment;

[0029]FIG. 2 is a side view, but showing the two chassis portionsdis-assembled to an open, separated position, permitting access tosocket mountings for the ends of the module, to allow easy mounting andde-mounting of the module;

[0030]FIG. 3 is a perspective illustration of a number of differentgrass treatment modules which can be readily replaceably mounted in thechassis of FIGS. 1 and 2;

[0031]FIGS. 4 and 5 are side views of a second embodiment of chassis, inan assembled condition and separated conditions respectively;

[0032]FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the components of the secondembodiment of chassis; and

[0033]FIGS. 7a to 7 e are side, end and sectional views showing in moredetail the construction of the end mountings of each treatment module.

[0034] Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 3 of the drawings, a chassisaccording to the invention is designated generally by reference 10, andwhich is intended to be mounted in, or on the frame of a multi-headgrass treatment machine. Each treatment head (unit) therefore is formedby the chassis 10 and has socket mountings 11 which are spaced apartperpendicularly of the direction of travel of the machine and whichserve to mount rotatably the outer ends of the grass treatment module,(which may comprise a cylindrical mower unit, a scarifier unit, averticut device, a spiker or a brush etc).

[0035] The chassis 10 therefore defines two opposed sides which arespaced apart perpendicularly of the direction of travel, and with eachside having a respective socket mounting 11 provided therein.

[0036] The chassis 10 comprises a forward portion 12 and a rearwardportion 13, and which are connected together for movement between anopen, separated position shown in FIG. 2, and a closed or assembledposition shown in FIG. 1. In the open position shown in FIG. 2, accessis permitted to the mounting sockets 11 for the purposes of mounting orde-mounting the ends of the grass treatment module. In the closedposition shown in FIG. 1, the grass treatment module can be mounted inthe chassis ready to carry out an appropriate grass treatment operation.

[0037] In the illustrated embodiment, the socket mountings 11 comprisesquare cross section sockets, and part of the periphery of each socketis defined by one of the portions (three sides of the socket in the caseof the rearward portion 13 in the illustrated embodiment), and theremaining part of the circumference (the outwardly opening side definedby the forward portion 12 in the illustrated embodiment) is defined bythe other portion.

[0038] The two chassis portions 12 and 13 are pivotally connectedtogether via horizontally extending pivot 14, and evidently, from FIG.2, the forward portion 12 is pivotable forwardly and downwardly of therearward portion 13 in order to take-up the open position, and thismakes it particularly quick and easy to mount and de-mount the ends ofthe module with respect to the socket mountings 11.

[0039] The forward portion 12 of the chassis 10 carries a usual frontroller 15, and which is vertically adjustable to alter the height of themodule above the grass surface. The rearward portion 13 is supported bya rear roller 16.

[0040] Although not shown in FIG. 1 or 2, when the chassis portions 12and 13 are moved relatively to the closed or assembled position shown inFIG. 1, there will usually be provided simple quick release fasteners,to hold the abutting faces of the chassis portions 12 and 13 inengagement with each other.

[0041] The illustrated embodiment therefore provides a simple“break-open” chassis, allowing easy access to the socket mountings sothat the outer ends of the module concerned can be easily mounted andde-mounted. The location of the abutting faces of the chassis portions,in the closed position, is not critical, provided that when in theclosed position the socket mountings are closed and hold the module endssecurely. Also, the two chassis portions should be able to “break-open”to a sufficient extent to allow the mounting and de-mounting of themodule concerned.

[0042] The modules provided for use with the chassis 10 of the inventionmay comprise different types of treatment modules (20, 21, 22, 23), asshown in FIG. 3. Each side of the chassis may have a mounting flange 17with two or more different mounting holes 18 to allow different types ofdrive mechanism e.g. hydraulic motor, to be connected to the mountingflange. FIG. 3 shows opposed outer ends 24 of the modules which can beangularly adjusted through 90° increments relative to the mountingsockets 11.

[0043] The illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 also provides a coverplate 19 extending forwardly and upwardly from the chassis portion 13,and the purpose of this is to guide the forward movement of materialproduced during the grass treatment operation. As an alternative, aguard or cover plate 19 may be formed as a component part of the modulewhich is to be mounted in and de-mounted from the chassis (see FIG. 3).Also, as shown in FIG. 3, the two portions of the chassis 10 arereleasably held together by spring-loaded releasable fastener latches25.

[0044] The illustrated embodiment of chassis according to the inventionhas an assembled condition, as shown in FIG. 1, in which the outer endsof the module can be held in the module mountings, in order to mount themodule on the chassis. The embodiment also permits the two chassisportions to be relatively separated in order to provide access to themodule mountings, for the purposes of mounting or de-mounting the endsof the module relative to the chassis.

[0045] In the illustrated embodiment, movement between the assembledcondition shown in FIG. 1, and the (separated) open, disassembledcondition shown in FIG. 2 is achieved simply by pivotally connecting thechassis portions 12 and 13 together via horizontally extending pivot 14.However, it should be understood that the invention contemplatesalternative modes of converting the chassis between an assembledcondition and a separated condition. By way of example only, althoughnot shown, one main portion of the chassis may form the major part ofthe socket mounting for the ends of the module, and a further portion ofthe chassis may be removably connectable thereto, so that such portioncan be easily assembled, to complete the formation of the socketmountings and the mounting in position of the module. However, thefurther portion can be easily removed entirely, to leave the socketmountings open so that a module can be mounted or de-mounted easily.Preferably, a simple slidable inter-engagement may be provided betweenthe main portion of the chassis and the removable chassis portion,together with provision of simple snap-acting or other easily operatedfasteners.

[0046]FIG. 3 shows a spiked treatment module 23 mounted in chassis 10,and with module end plate 24 projecting outwardly of the chassis sideand a suitable mounting part (not shown) of the module received by thesocket mounting (11). The opposed sides 26 of the chassis 10 (see FIG.3) define the socket mountings, and also have air vents 27 formed in thesides which admit air to the module chamber via hole 29 in an arcuatedistance piece 28 which mounts the plate 19 on the cartridge (20, 21,22).

[0047] It should be understood that the provision of two chassisportions (12, 13) is one preferred embodiment of the invention (havingan assembled condition and a dis-assembled or separated (release)condition), and that the invention contemplates a chassis which may havean assembly of more than two chassis portions, at least one of which maybe separated from the assembly for mounting and de-mounting of themodule.

[0048] Furthermore, the invention also includes the provision of asingle portion chassis having one or more module mountings whichfacilitate easy attachment and removal of a respective grass treatmentmodule. This may be implemented in a number of different ways, some ofwhich are described below, by way of example only.

[0049] One or more slots may be formed in the side plates of the chassisinto which the modules may be slidably mounted. Alternatively, flangeson the chassis may have module mountings onto which the modules can bereplaceably mounted, and preferably without need for fastener bolts tocomplete the assembly.

[0050] The primary objective will be to enable the interchanging ofmodules to be carried out as quickly and simply as possible.

[0051] Referring to FIGS. 4 to 6, there is shown a second embodiment ofchassis according to the invention, and in which parts correspondingwith those already described are given the same reference numerals, butwith the addition of 100.

[0052] The main difference in the second embodiment is the way in whichthe mounting socket 111 is formed by the two chassis portions 112 and113. As can be seen particularly in FIG. 5, each chassis portion definestwo sides only of the square-shaped mounting socket (when assembled).

[0053]FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of the component parts of thechassis, and also of an interchangeable “cartridge” or grass treatmentmodule, provided with a number of “verticut” toothed plates 126, spacedapart along the length of drive shaft 127. This also shows the endplates 124 by which the cartridge or module is removably mounted insocket mountings 111, and a suitable square mounting part is providedbetween the inner and outer of each pair of mounting plates forming theouter ends of the module.

[0054] The square mounting part is defined between inner and outer endplates 118 a and 118 b, shown in FIGS. 7a to 7 e, and is formed by asquare cross-section part 118 c which slidably fits onto socket mounting111, with outer end plate 118 a located on the outside face of thechassis side, and the inner end plate 118 b on the inside face of thechassis side. If required, an adjustment facility (not shown) may beprovided between the mounting part 118 c and socket mounting 111, toallow height adjustment of the module.

1. A chassis (10) for a grass treatment unit and which is adapted tomount thereon an elongate grass treatment module (20, 21, 22, 23), andin which: the chassis (10) is intended to be mounted on the frame of agrass treatment machine; and the chassis (10) has at least one modulemounting (11) which is adapted to facilitate easy attachment and removalof a respective grass treatment module.
 2. A chassis according to claim1, in which the chassis has two module mountings which are laterallyspaced from each other with respect to the direction of travel of themachine, and each mounting being adapted to receive a respective outerend of the module.
 3. A chassis according to claim 2 and comprising twochassis portions (12, 13) which can be assembled in order to hold theouter ends (24) of the module (20) in the module mountings (11) in orderto mount the module (20) on the chassis (10), and which can berelatively separated in order to provide access to the module mountings(11) for the purposes of mounting or de-mounting the ends (24) of themodule (20) relative to the chassis (10).
 4. A chassis according toclaim 3, in which the two chassis portions (12, 13) are interengageablewhen assembled, and in which one of the chassis portions (12) isremovable from engagement with the other chassis portion (13) to provideaccess to the module mountings (11).
 5. A chassis according to claim 4,in which the two chassis portions (12, 13) are movably connectedtogether for relative movement between an assembled condition and aseparated condition.
 6. A chassis according to any one of claims 3 to 5,in which one chassis portion (12) is pivotally connected to the otherchassis portion (13) for movement between an engaged position in whichthe ends (24) of the module (20) are held in the module mountings (11),and a release position in which the ends (24) of the module (20) can beremoved from the mountings (11).
 7. A chassis according to claim 6, inwhich the chassis portions (12, 13) together define socket mountings(11) surrounding mounting parts of the module (20), when the portions(12, 13) are in the engaged position, and in which parts of the sockets(11) are movable away when the chassis portions (12, 13) are in therelease position.
 8. A chassis according to claim 7, in which a firstchassis portion (13) defines a major part of each socket mounting (11)whereby to receive the respective mounting part of the module when inthe release position, and a second chassis portion (12) defines a minorpart of each socket mounting (11) which completes the formation of thesocket mounting when the first and second chassis portions (12, 13) arerelatively movable to the assembled condition.
 9. A chassis according toclaim 8, in which each socket mounting 11 is four sided, and the firstchassis portion (13) defines two or three sides of the socket mounting(11), and the second chassis portion (12) defines the two or one side ofthe socket mounting (11).
 10. A chassis according to claim 9, in whicheach socket mounting is square, and the respective treatment module (20)is adjustable through 90° increments to provide required mounting of themodule in the socket mounting.
 11. A chassis according to any one of thepreceding claims, having a pair of opposed sides (26) each defining arespective one of a pair of module mountings (11).
 12. A chassisaccording to claim 11, in which each side (26) has one or more vents(27) formed therein, to admit air to the module chamber and promotedischarge of debris.
 13. A chassis according to any one or the precedingclaims, in which the treatment module is adjustably mountable in themounting sockets to permit height adjustment of the module.
 14. A grasstreatment machine incorporating a chassis according to any one of thepreceding claims.
 15. A multi-unit grass treatment machine having aframe, and a number of grass treatment units mounted on the frame andeach mounting a respective elongate grass treatment module, in whicheach unit has at least one module mounting by which the respective grasstreatment module is removably mounted in the unit.
 16. A machineaccording to claim 15, in which each grass treatment unit has a chassis(10) which is mounted on the frame of the machine, and which is providedwith a pair of module mountings (11) which each receive a respective endof the respective treatment module (20).
 17. A machine according toclaim 16, in which each chassis (10) comprises two chassis portions (12,13) which are interengageable when assembled, and in which one of thechassis portions (12) is removable from engagement with the otherchassis portion (13) to provide access to the module mountings.
 18. Amachine according to claim 17, in which the two chassis portions (12,13) are movably connected together for relative movement between anassembled condition and a separated condition.
 19. A machine accordingto claim 17 or 18, in which one chassis portion (12) is pivotallyconnected to the other chassis portion (13) for movement between anengaged position in which the ends (24) of the module (20) are held inthe module mountings (11), and a release position in which the ends (24)of the module (20) can be removed from the mountings (11).
 20. A machineaccording to claim 19, in which the chassis portions (12, 13) togetherdefine socket mountings (11) surrounding mounting parts of the module(20), when the portions (12, 13) are in the engaged position, and inwhich parts of the sockets (11) are movable away when the chassisportions (12, 13) are in the release position.